Four Winns V305 Windshield Option Debuts at Miami

The unusually tall windshield will be a special-order item

By Charles Plueddeman

February 10, 2011

The “tall boy” windshield that caused such a stir when it appeared at the Ft. Lauderdale boat show will be a $5,077 option on the new Four Winns V305 cruiser, according to Four Winns. The V305 will be shown at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show with a standard-height windshield.

Four Winns will offer this Extended Height Windshield as an option on their V305.

The Four Winns Extended Height Windshield rises 43 inches above the consoles, or about 20 inches higher than a standard windshield, and is braced by curved side supports that flow aft to an arch and hardtop. The cockpit of the V305 can be enclosed by simply adding a canvas section between the frame of the tall windshield and the arch, to achieve weather protection or to utilize the optional cockpit air-conditioning system. On nice days, the gap between the hard top and the windshield gives the boat a breezy personality.

It also gives the boat an unusual profile. If that’s a problem for you, get this boat with a standard-height windshield, which will be paired with a slightly longer hardtop and a more traditional piece of clear vinyl to fill the gap when desired. According to Four Winns spokesman Doyle VanderPol, since its Ft. Lauderdale intro the V305 has been shown with the Extended Height Windshield in Europe and at a Toronto boat show, and it was well-received.

The V305 with a standard-height windshield

“The initial impression was that the Extended Height Windshield was only intended for export, or for cool climates,” said VanderPol. “In fact, it also makes it much easier to use the optional cockpit air-conditioning, and keeps the cockpit brighter when the area is enclosed. We think the tall windshield is going to be a popular option in all markets once the public gets to see it in action.”

The V305 will be featured in the Four Winns display at the Miami show. Its other key innovation is a full galley located in the cockpit, which frees up a lot of space belowdecks; the boat offers an expansive cabin and sleeping accommodations for six. The boat is 30’5” with a beam of 10’2”. It’s available with twin gas or diesel stern drives from MerCruiser or Volvo Penta.